WebRTC

Technology & Computing abbreviation · Internet & Web

WebRTC
Stands forWeb Real-Time Communication
CategoriesTechnology & Computing

WebRTC stands for Web Real-Time Communication, an Internet & web abbreviation.

A set of browser APIs and protocols for real-time audio, video and data exchange directly between browsers, with no plug-ins. Google Meet and many telehealth, customer-support and interview tools run on it.

Example: The interview tool runs on WebRTC, so candidates join from Chrome without installing anything.

Usage notes

Google open-sourced the core technology in 2011 after acquiring Global IP Solutions, and it became a W3C and IETF standard in January 2021. Media is always encrypted, using DTLS and SRTP. Connections use STUN and TURN servers to get through NAT, and data channels allow peer-to-peer file transfer and game data.

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